Room expansion system

Abstract

The slide-out mechanisms described herein are generally composed of two components. More specifically, the slide-out mechanism includes at least one elongated member, also referred to as a ram, which is coupled to the floor of a movable room. This elongated member moves with the extendable portion of a movable room. Additionally, the slide-out mechanism includes a base that is coupled to the coach floor and contains a motive device for extending and retracting the movable room accessible from the inside of the slide-out room. According to various embodiments disclosed herein, the motive device may be a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electrical motor. Alternatively, the motive force may be a crank that may be manually actuated to extend and retract the slideout room.

1. An apparatus for selectively extending and retracting a slide-out portion of a vehicle, comprising:
 a first elongated member movable relative to the vehicle;  
 a first base member fixed relative to the vehicle; and  
 a drive system disposed on the elongated member, the drive system sized to move the elongated member relative to the base member, the drive system located in a space internal to said vehicle.  
 wherein the drive system comprises an electric motor and wherein said electric motor is disposed within the length of said elongated member.  
 
   
   
     2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongated member comprises a top surface, two opposing sides joined to the top surface, and an inwardly projecting lip extending from a bottom edge of the opposing sides. 
   
   
     3. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongated member is slideably engaged with the base member. 
   
   
     4. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a base gear assembly which comprises a rotatable shaft spanning between a first side of the base member and a second side of the base member, and a gear unitary with the rotatable shaft. 
   
   
     5. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the base member further comprises a mounting bracket angled to mount onto a wheel well of a vehicle. 
   
   
     6. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongated member further comprises an acme screw engaged with an acme nut, the acme nut mounted to the base member. 
   
   
     7. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the drive system operates to extend and retract the slide member and is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, an integral motor brake, a hydraulic motor, and a pneumatic mechanism. 
   
   
     8. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongated member further comprises an acme screw coupled to the drive system and engaged with an acme nut, the acme nut mounted to the base member. 
   
   
     9. An apparatus for selectively extending and retracting a slide-out portion of a vehicle, comprising:
 a first elongated member having a top surface, two opposing sides joined to the top surface, and an inwardly projecting lip extending from a bottom edge of the opposing sides, the elongated member also having a gear rack on a bottom surface of the elongated member and an acme screw mounted parallel to the gear rack;  
 a first base member fixed to the vehicle having a first bracket coupled to a distal end of the base member and a second bracket coupled to a proximal end of the base member, the base member also having an acme nut engaged with the acme screw, and also having a base gear assembly engageable with the gear rack, the base gear assembly having a rotatable shaft spanning between a first side of the base member and a second side of the base member, and a gear unitary with the rotatable shaft; and  
 a drive system for extending and retracting the elongated member coupled to the elongated member, the drive system located in a space internal to the vehicle.  
 
   
   
     10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the drive system comprises an electric motor and wherein said electric motor is disposed within the length of said elongated member. 
   
   
     11. The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a second elongated member;  
 a second base member;  
 said gear rack defining a first gear rack coupled to a bottom of said first elongated member;  
 a second gear rack coupled to a bottom of said second elongated member;  
 said base gear rack assembly defining a first base gear assembly disposed on said first base member and engagable with said first gear rack; and  
 a second base gear assembly disposed on said second base member and engagable with said second gear rack;  
 wherein said first base gear assembly and said second base gear assembly are coupled by a cross-shaft.  
 
   
   
     12. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said base member includes a mounting bracket configured to mount to said vehicle. 
   
   
     13. The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said base member includes a mounting bracket having a first area for mounting to a horizontal surface of said vehicle and a second area for mounting to a vertical surface of said vehicle. 
   
   
     14. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said base member includes a horizontal bracket positioned to extend beyond a first side and a second side of said elongated member. 
   
   
     15. The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a mounting bracket having a first area for mounting to a horizontal surface of said vehicle and a second area for mounting to a vertical surface of said vehicle, wherein said mounting bracket couples to said horizontal bracket. 
   
   
     16. The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said mounting bracket is sized and shaped to engage a horizontal surface and a vertical surface of a wheel well of said vehicle. 
   
   
     17. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second elongated member;  
 a second base member;  
 a first gear rack coupled to a bottom of said first elongated member;  
 a second gear rack coupled to a bottom of said second elongated member;  
 a first base gear assembly disposed on said first base member and engagable with said first gear rack; and  
 a second base gear assembly disposed on said second base member and engagable with said second gear rack;  
 wherein said first base gear assembly and said second base gear assembly are coupled by a cross-shaft.  
 
   
   
     18. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said base member includes a mounting bracket configured to mount to said vehicle. 
   
   
     19. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said base member includes a mounting bracket having a first area for mounting to a horizontal surface of said vehicle and a second area for mounting to a vertical surface of said vehicle. 
   
   
     20. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said base member includes a horizontal bracket positioned to extend beyond a first side and a second side of said elongated member. 
   
   
     21. The apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising a mounting bracket having a first area for mounting to a horizontal surface of said vehicle and a second area for mounting to a vertical surface of said vehicle, wherein said mounting bracket couples to said horizontal bracket. 
   
   
     22. The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein said mounting bracket is sized and shaped to engage a horizontal surface and a vertical surface of a wheel well of said vehicle.